Summary (tl;dr)

Emily Ratajkowski is trending after publishing a candid essay in The Cut where she discusses her post-divorce sex life and journey to redefine herself as a single mother.

Essential Background

Emily Ratajkowski, a prominent model, actress, and author, was married to film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard from 2018 to 2022, and they share a son named Sylvester. Their marriage ended in divorce, with reports citing infidelity on Bear-McClard's part. Following her separation, Ratajkowski openly shared that she was embracing single life and dating.

The Full Story

On June 12, 2026, Emily Ratajkowski published an essay in The Cut titled "I Decided To F*** My Way Into A New Kind Of Woman," which has quickly gone viral. In the essay, Ratajkowski, 35, explores her experiences with sex and dating after her 2022 divorce, stating her intention to "destroy the Madonna" image she had cultivated and replace it with a more uninhibited identity. She candidly details her decision to date casually as a single mother in New York City, recounting various flings and her reflections on intimacy and self-discovery. The essay also touches upon the collapse of her marriage, revealing that she and Bear-McClard stopped being intimate six months after their son was born, leading to their separation less than a year later. She also noted that being a New Yorker made her feel that being a single mom was "sexier" and "bohemian."

Why It Matters

Emily Ratajkowski's essay is resonating with a broad audience due to its raw honesty and its exploration of themes that challenge societal perceptions of divorced women and single mothers. Her celebrity status amplifies the discussion around female sexuality, autonomy, and the complexities of navigating personal identity post-divorce. The essay's bold title and content have sparked considerable conversation, making it a significant cultural moment in the entertainment sphere. Her previous public statements about finding it "chic to be divorced by the age of 30" further contextualize her current reflections.

Geographic Location

• New York City, New York, United States (Emily Ratajkowski's candid essay was published by The Cut, a New York-based publication, and she describes her experience of dating as a single mom in the city, including a fling with a DJ from Brooklyn)